Chain-machine



3 Sheets--Sheet 1.

(Nb ModeL) J. H. DOOLITTLE.

GHAIN MACHINE.

No. 568,749. Patented Oct. 6, 1896 Witnesses.

0., WASHmnToN u c (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. H. DOOLI TTLE. CHAIN MACHINE.

N0.568,'749.' Patented0ct.6, 1896.

("No Model 3Sheets--She et 3. I

J. H. DOOLITTLE.

CHAIN MACHINE.

Jwzxen tor.

ATENT FFICE.

JOHN H. DOOLITTLE, OF GREYSTONE, CONNECTICUT.

CHAIN-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION folming part of Letters Patent N0. 568,749, dated October6, 1896.

Application filed June 1, 1896. Serial No. 593,728. (No model.)

Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inChain-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chainunachines,

and the object of the invention is to provide an improved-machine ofthis class by means of which each link will be completely formed by twoconsecutive bending operations and in which both ends of the wireforming the link will be shaped simultaneously at or substantially atright angles to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedchain-machine in which the completed link will be carried into positionand united with its companion uncompleted link when the same has beennearly shaped and during the bending or curling of the loop of suchpartially-formed link.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedchain-machine embodying various improvements upon machines of this classheretofore employed, and which machine, as compared with analogousapparatus, will be simple in construction, effective in operation, anddurable in use.

In the drawings accompanying and forum ing part of this specification,Figure 1 is a top View of tlieimproved chain-machine. Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional view thereof, partly in elevation, taken in line aa, Fig. 1, looking toward the left. Fig. is also a transverse sectionalview taken in line b b, Fig. 1,.looking toward the left and partly inelevation and'partly broken away. Fig. 4 is atop view of a part of thewire-guiding device, the Iixed angular die, and the movable or centralbending die and cutter, with such movable die and cutter in retractedpositions. Fig. 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of thedevice shown in Fig. at, illustrating the link-blank severed from thewire and bent into angular position relatively to the fixed die by thecentral bending-die. Fig. 6 is a front or face view of the fixed angulardie, the starting-pins, and the loop-benders,

such loop-benders being shown in position to engage the link-blank. Vview showing the loop-benders forining'the Fig. 7 is a similartherethrough.

loops around the starting-pins. Fig. 8 is likewise a similar Viewshowing the formers or startin g-pins partially withdrawn and the end orloop benders slightly retracted. Fig. 9 is also a similar view showingthe formers or starting pins entirely withdrawn and the loop-benders inposition completing the loops. Fig. 10 is a side view of the deviceshown in Fig. 4, partly in dotted lines and looking toward the left,with the central bending-die in its retracted posit-ion. Fig. 11 is aView similar to Fig. 10 with the formers or starting-pins and thecentral bending-die in operative position engaging the link-blank. Fig.12 is a view of a portion of a gripping mechanism in position engagingone of the loops of the completed link. Fig. 13 is a similar viewshowing the gripping device slightly retracted to clear the apex of thefixed die and carrying the completed link in position to receive theloop of the next link-blank. Fig. let is likewise a similar view showingthe gripping device in position holding the completed link with one ofits loops in position to have the partially-formed loop of the nextlink-blank bent or curled therethrough. Fig. 15 is a front View, of thefixed angular die, showing the position of the gripping device when itfirst engages the completed link and the position thereof after it hascarried such link into position to have one of the partially-formedloops of the next link-blank bent or curled Fig. 16 is a view of aportion of the fixed die and showing the completed link in position tohave a loop of the uncompleted or partially-formed link bent or curledtherethrough by the loop-bender, and Fig. 17

the link centrally of the other loop is made before such loops areformed and practically simultaneously with the cutting of the wire frotnthe stock, after which the loops are si- 111 ultaneously formed at bothends of the linkblank, thus doing away not only with the finallink-shaping operation heretofore used in practice, but also with theseparate and independent loop-forming operations, as above set forth,and thereby accomplishing more quickly and in two operations the formingof a link, which heretofore has only been,

formed in three operations, and thus materially reducing the cost ofmanufacturing the chain. Moreover, in chain-machines as usuallyconstructed the links are united by feeding the straight link-blank,before the same is bent, through one of the loops of thepreviouslycompleted links, wherebythroughout all the bending operationsof the link-blank the perfected link hangs in the way and is liable tointerfere with the operation of the machine, whereas by this improvedmechanism the completed link is united to its companion link when thelatter is nearly formed by bending or curling one loop thereof through aloop of the previously-perfected link, so that the liability of thecompleted link to get in the way of the bending-tools is obviated andthe rapid action of the machine thereby increased.

This improved chain-machine in the present construction comprises, in ageneral way, wire-feeding mechanism, (designated generally by r\,)link-bending mechanism or means for bending the link-blank, (designatedgenerally by 13,) as contradistinguished from the loop or eye bendingmechanism, and wirecutting mechanism operative tn'acticallysimultaneously with the link-bending mechanism, former mechanism,(designated generally by 0,) loop-bending mechanism, (designatedgenerally by E,) link gripping and carrying mechanism, (designatedgenerally by l),) and actuating mechanism (designated generally by i forsuch feeding, link bending and cutting, former, loop bending andgripping mechanisms, whereby in the construction shown said mechanisms,with the exception of the cutting mechanism, will be operativeconsecutively to form a wire blank into a chain-link.

In the preferred form the machine will be constructed substantially ashereinafter shown and described; but it will be understood that thevarious details ofmechanism and the dispositions thereof can be replacedby other mechanisms, dil'l'erel'itlyarranged, if desired, adapted toaccomplish the same purpose without departing from the scope of myinvention.

In the preferred form thereof herein shown and described the variousmechanisms are carried upon a framework or fixture 30, which may be ofanysuitable construction adapted for the purpose.

.lournaled in suitable journal-bearings mounted on the framework 20, isa shaft 22, adapted to carry the cams for actuating the variousmechanisms hereinafter set forth,

such shaft having at one end thereof the usual fast and loose pulleys 23and 2t and the balai'ice-wheel 25,whereby motion is imparted to suchshaft from any suitable source of power.

The link-bending mechanism Bin the form shown comprises a normally-fixeddie or anvil 30, adjustably carried on the framework 20, such die havingan angular working face 31, provided with a centrally-disposed groove orslot 35, preferably angular in cross-section and extendinglongitudinally thereof for the reception of the link-blank in a mannerhereinafter set forth. This angular face 31 comprises at each side ofits apex 33 a transversely-inclinetl face 39 and alongitudinallyinclincd face 3t in angular relation to suchtransversely-inclined face 32, the faces of one side of the die being inalternation with the faces at the other side thereof.

In the present construction the means for adjusting the die toward andfrom the work comprises a slideway 256, having a transverse member 37,carrying an adjusting device in the nature of a screw 3b in position toengage the shank 39 of the die 30, and which shank is guided in saidslideway and has an elongated slot t0 for the reception of a clampdevice t1, whereby the die is adj ustably clamped in position on theframework. Transversely movable in ways of the framework 20 is a slidel2, formed at its front end to support the movable link-blank bender orcentral die and also to preferably support the cuttingtool. The movablelink-blank bender 423 is provided with an angular face l-l,corresponding with the angular face 31 of the fixed die 30, whereby itwill bend the link-blank 200, Fig. 5, into angular relation relativelyto said lixed die. In the form shown the means for adjusting thismovable link-blank-bending die comprises a suitable adjusting device,such as a screw 45, carried by an extension to of the slide 42, theinner end of which screw engages the end of a slide 48, carrying themovable die 453, which slide 48 and die 4-33 are clamped on the mainslide 4:2 by a clamp device t7.

The cutting-tool or cutter 50 is herein shown disposed in position onsaid main slide H at the sideof the movablelink-blankbending die i3 andsecured thereon by a clamp device 51, which permits longitudinaladjustment of the cutter, and which clamping device and cutter aretransversely adjustable relatively to the main slide 42 by means of aslot and clamping device 5-), Fig. 2, whereby the length of thelink-blank to be out can be regulated. As a means for actuating thismain slide 42, and thereby reciprocating the bending-die 4:3 and thecutter 50, a cam is fixedly secured 011 the shaft 22 and engages asuitable follower 56, adjustably carried on the rear end of the mainslide t2, and which follower is clamped in position by a clam pingdevice 57, extending through an elongated slot 58 of the follower, andis adjust- IIO able by means of a suitable adjusting device, such as ascrew 59, carried by an extension of said slide 42. On the rotation ofthe cam 55 the slide will be actuated to thereby draw the movablebending-die 43 into engagement with the link-blank 200 to bend the sameinto angular engagement with the face 31 of the fixed die 30, such slidebeing moved in the opposite direction, after the actuatingface of thecam has passed the follower, by means of a coiled spring 61, having oneend thereof secured to a stud or pin 62, fixed in the slide 42, and itsopposite end also secured to a stud or pin 63, fixed in the framework20, whereby such spring will actuate the slide to thereby move thelink-blank-bending die 43 away from the fixed die 30.

Any suitable mechanism may be used for feeding the stock-preferablywire-into position to be operated on; but in the form shown this feedingmechanism may have as one part thereof the usual guide and straighteningrolls 70, supported upon a part of the framework, if desired. Thefeeding mechanism proper, however, comprises in one form thereof a'suitable dovetailed slideway 71, forminga part of or fixedly secured onthe framework 20, and which guideway is shown having an extension 72 atone end thereof, having an aperture for guiding the wire. On thisguideway a sliding member 73, having a dovetailed recess, is mounted,the upper face of which member 73 is provided with a wireengaging face.This sliding member has an upwardly-extending stud or pin 74, having anaperture communicating with the wire-engaging face of said slide memberand through which aperture the wire is fed.

The means for clamping the wire on the slidable member 7 3 and formoving said member longitudinally of its slideway 71 comprises in thisconstruction a bifurcated lever 75, having its furcated end engaging thestud or pin 74 and pivotally secured for horizontal and verticalmovements on the framework 20. In the form shown this lever 75 ispivotally secured on a member 76 by means of a pivotpin and nut 77,whereby it is horizontally movable on such pivot-pin. This member 76 isprovided with conicalrecesses or bearings 78, adapted toreceive conicalpivots or journals 79, mounted on suitable extensions 80, formed on orfixedly secured to the framework, whereby such lever is movablevertically to clamp and release the wire in order to feed the same tothe machine. One means for actuating this lever 75 comprises a suitablecam 81, mounted on the rotary shaft 22 and provided with a pair ofcam-faces, one of which engages said lever beneath the same to therebyraise and lower it to clamp and release the wire, while the othercam-face engages a suitable roller 82, pivotally secured to the lever75, whereby said lever is actuated in one horizontal direction to movethe slid able member 73 longitudinally of the slideway 71 to therebyfeed the wire, said lever or work and hold the same firmlyin position tobe severed by the cutter 50, atubular guide device 85, having a centralbore 86, is clamped in position in a holder 87, secured to theframework, (see Fig. 5,) and has one end in position adjacent to theplane of movement of the cutter, whereby the work will be supportedwhile being severed. This guide device is adjustable in its holder tocorrespond with the transverse adjustment of the cutter hereinbefore setforth.

The formers, around which the ends of the wire blank are shaped andwhich in the preseut construction comprise a pair of rods 90 and 91, areshown one, as 90, supported on top of the framework and the other, as91, beneath the same and operable in diagonally opposite directions, theplanes of movement thereof intersecting each other. In the preferredform shown one end of each of these rods 90 and 91 is mounted in asuitable sleeve 92, fixedly secured to the framework 20, (shown oneabove and the other below the same,) the working ends of said rodssliding in apertures 93, extending through the 1011-gitudinally-inclined faces 34 of the fixed die 30 and projecting beyondsuch faces at certain periods in the operation of the machine, wherebyone former will be moved into po sition above one end of the link-blankand the other below the opposite end of said link-blank and at aninclination corresponding with the inclination of suchlongitudinally-inclined faces 34. As one means for actuating theseformers into position each rod is provided with'a spiral spring 94,encircling the same intermediate of its guidesleeve 92, and aclamping-collar 95, fixedly secured to the rod, whereby the springs willforce the working ends of the rods above the longitudinally-inclinedfaces 34 of the fixed die 30, and thus permit the ends of the linkblank200 to be partially formed around the same by the loop-bending mechanismhereinafter set forth. In order, however, to withdraw these rods afterthe loops are partially formed in the link and to also hold the sameretracted during the link-bending operation, each former is pivotallyconnected to one end of an actuating-rod 96 by means of its clampsleeve95, the opposite end of which actuating-rod 96 is pivotally connected toone end of an oscillatory lever 97, pivotally secured to the frame inposition to have its opposite end engaged by a suitable cam 98, mountedon the rotary shaft 22, whereby when the actuating-faces of such camsare in engagement with the ends of the levers 97 the former-rods will bewithdrawn from their working positions and held against movement untilsuch actuating-faces release the ends of said le- IIO vcrs 07, when thesprings 0-1 will force the former-rods into position to permit the endsof the link-blank to be shaped around the same.

The end-bending or loop-shaping mechanism E in one construction thereofherein shown comprises two sets of slides operative by means of cams andsprings and adapted to carry a pair of bending-tools, one operative ateach end of the wire link, and each set of which bending meanspreferably comprises suitable guidcways 100 and 100', formed on orfixedly secured to the franilework 20, and in the ways of which a slide101, having a beveled or angular face 102, is adapted to slide. Disposedat an angle to such slide 101 is an auxiliary slide or tool-carrier 103,also having a beveled or angular face 101 in engagement with the beveledface 102 of the slide 101, and which slide or tool-carrier is movable insuitable ways 105, formed on or secured to the framework 20, and oneside of which ways maybe formed, if desired, by the end of the way 100.Each of these auxiliary slides or tool-carriers is provided with aninclined recess 106, adapted to receive a bending-tool107, clampedtherein by clamping devices 108, and each of which bending-tools has atransversely-curved face 100 and is preferably supported by such slides103 at the same-angle of inclination as the inclination of thelongitudinally-inclined faces 31 of the fixed die 30, whereby the saidbendingtools are supported substantially at right angles to each other,and thus the loops of the link will be formed at right angles to eachother. In the construction shown these bending-tools 107 engage alink-blank, one tool at each end thereof, to bend the same around theformers, one loop in a substantially upward and the other in asubstantially downward direction, Figs. 7, 8, and 0.

It will be understood, however, that by substituting a fixed die havingfaces 31 of different longitudinal inclinations from those herein shown,and by disposing the bending-tools to correspond with suchinelinations,the loops may be formed in any desired angular rela tionrelatively to each other rather than at right angles, as shown.

As one means for actuating the slides or toolearriers 103, and therebythe bending-tools, each slide 101 is provided with a pair of followers100 and 110, adjustably attached thereto by means of clamping devices111, extending through elongated slots 112 therein, said followers beingadjustable by suitable adjusting deviccs-such as screws 113 and nuts11lthereon. These followers are adapted to be alternately operated by apair of cams 115 and 116, mounted on the shaft 22, whereby the bendersare actuated into position to engage the link-blank 200, in a mannerhereinafter set forth.

As a means for retracting the slides or toolcarriers 103, and therebyalso holding the followers in engagement with their respective cams, asuitable spring, such as a spiral spring 117, is connected to eachslide, one end thereof being secured to the slide and the opposite endthereof to the framework or other desired place on the machine. In theoperation of these slides 101 and 103 the followers 110 are firstactuated by the cams 110, whereby the tools 107 are simultaneously 0erated into position partially to bend the loops around the formers 00and 91, Figs. 0 and 7. The bending-tools are then slightly retracted,Fig. 8, after the actuating-faces of the cams 110 release the followers110, by means of their springs 11.7, during which time the formers 00and 01 are withdrawn, Fig. 8, by their cams 08. The pair of followers100 is then engaged by the pair of companion cams 1.15, whereby thebending-tools 107 by means of the same slides 1.01 and 103 are actuatedinto position to complete the partiallyformcd loops, Fig. 0, after whichthe bendingtools 107 are retracted into their inoperative positions bytheir springs 1.17.

In the present construction each loopbender is shown having movements ofvarying lengths, that movement thereof which completes the loop beingsomewhat longer than that which starts the loop. It will be understood,however, that the lengths of movement of the benders may be otherwisemodified by mere mechanical changes in the construction of the device.

After the link has been completely formed the gripping mechanism isactuated into position to grip the same and carry it into position withone loop 202 thereof in the path of the bending or curling of one of theloops 201 of the next link-blank 200 for the purpose of putting thelinks together.

It will be understood that any suitable gripping mechanism adapted forthis purpose may be used but in one preferred form thereof herein shownthis mechanism comprises a suitable gripping device supported forlongitudinal and oscillatory movement and means for actuating the same,whereby it will be operated into position to engage the link, thenrocked into position to carry the same substantially centrally ofonehalf of the next link-blank 200, in order to permit at the propertime one of the partially-formed loops 201 of said blank to bebent orcurled through a loop 202 of the completed link to thereby connect saidlinks together, and then actuated into its normal inoperative position.In the present construction this gripping mechanism is supported on theframework 20 by means of a suitable bracket 120, adj ustably clampedthereto by clamping devices 121, and which bracket 120 is provided witha pair of laterally-extending arms 122 in alinement with each other andso disposed that they are inclined relatively to the work or wire.Mounted within these arms 122 is a pair of rods or shafts 123 and 124,one of which, as 123, has secured thereto a head 125, having alongitudinally-dovetailed recess 12G therein. The

companion shaft 124 has an annular head 127 movably secured in saidrecessed head 125, and which shaft is provided adjacent to its oppositeor lower end with an arm 129,adapted to receive the gripper or grippingdevice 130, which in the form shown comprises -a bifurcated member 131,having two fingers in the nature of spring-jaws and removably clamped inposition in said arm 129 bya clamping device 132, and which, bifurcatedmember carries a clamping-collar 133, whereby the tension of saidfingers may be regulated. As one means for holding said gripping device130 in its normal inoperative position and for retracting the same atcertain periods in the operation of-the machine, a spiral spring 134 issecured intermediate of the upper supportingarm 122 and the shafthead125. One means of actuating this gripping device 130 into position tograsp a completed link comprises a suitable slide 140, adjustablysupported on the framework 20 by means of clamping devices 141,extending through elongated slots 141 of said slide, and which slide 140carries a pair of followers 142 and 143, adjustably secured thereto byclamping devices 144,1ikewise extending through elongated slots 145 andadj ustable by means of adjusting devices, such as screws 146, and,which followers are adapted to be engaged by a pair of cams 147 and 148,mounted on the shaft 22. This slide 140 is provided at its forward endwith an opening 149, in which is inserted one end of a lever 150, theopposite end of which is fixedly mounted on a shaft 151, journaled in asuitable hanger 152,carried by the framework 20. Fixedly securedadjacent to the opposite end of said shaft 151 is a second lever 153,which thus'forms, with the lever 150, a bellcrank-actuating device.

Secured to the outer end of the lever 153 is an adjusting devicecomprising a screw-rod 154 and thumb-nuts 155. The upper end of thisscrew-rod 154 is connected bya suitable rod 156 with one end of anoscillatory lever 157, pivotally secured to the bracket 120. Theopposite end of this oscillatory lever 157 is connected by means of alink 158 to the shaft 123, whereby on the actuation of said slide 140,by means of the cams 147 and 148, in a manner hereinafter set forth,such gripping device 130 will be actuated into position to grasp acompleted link. As one means for imparting a rocking movement to saidgripping device to thereby carry the completed link from its formativeposition into the loop bending or curling path of the next link-blank aslide 160 is mounted on the framework in a slideway 165 thereof and isprovided with a follower 161, adapted to be engaged by a cam 162,fixedly mounted on the shaft 22. slide is provided with a suitable stopdevice 163, adapted to abut against an adjusting device 164, carried byan extension 166 of such slideway 165, whereby the movement of saidslide is limited. A bell-crank lever 167 is pivotally secured to theframework and has This.

one end 168 thereof in engagement with said slide, the opposite end ofsaid lever 167 being pivotally secured to one end of a connecting-rod169, herein shown as composed of two members adjustably clampedtogether, whereby the length thereof can be regulated to thereby limitthe rocking movement of the gripping device, the opposite end of saidconnecting-rod 169 being provided with a bifurcated bracket 170,pivotally secured thereto, and which bracket is also pivotally attachedto an elongated slotted arm 171, mounted on the rock-shaft 124, wherebyon the actuation of said cam 162 the slide 160 will be operated to movethe bell-crank lever 167 in one direction and by means of theconnecting-rod 169 thereby rock the shaft 124 and its gripping device130 into position substantially centrally of the length of one-half of alinkblank 200. As a means for retracting the gripping device from suchposition a suitable spring, such as a spiral spring 175, has one endsecured to the gripping-device arm 129 and the other end to theframework, or, as herein shown, to the pivot of the bell-crank lever167, whereby, when the gripping device is retracted, the bell-cranklever 167 actuates the slide 160, and thereby the follower, intoposition to be engaged by the working face of the cam 162.

It will be understood that other connecting means, as well as variousdispositions thereof, could be used for actuating the gripping device inplace of that herein shown and described.

In the operation of this improved chain-machine at each forward movementof the feeding mechanism, comprising the clamping-lever and itsactuating-cam 81, a part of the wire sufficient to form a link is fedwith the center of "its longitudinal length adjacent to the apex of theangular face of the fixed die 30, at which time the main slide 42, bymeans of the actuating-cam 55, is moved forward to thereby permit thecutter to sever a linkblank 290 from the stock, and whichlinkblank,simultaneously with the severing thereof, is engaged by themovable link-bender 43 and bent around the angular faces of the fixeddie 30, whereby it will rest in the groove 35, and thus the link-blankis not only given its first bend, but the ends thereof are thereby movedout of the way of the work or stock to permit the loop-benders tooperate thereon. The formers 99 and 91, by means of their springs 94,are then moved into position, one

below and one above the wire, to permit the loops to be properlystarted. The loop-benders 107, by means of the cams 116 and slides 101and 103, are then moved into position to engage the ends of thelink-blank 200 and partially bend such ends around the formers and 91,after which said benders are slight-1y retracted by means of theirsprings 117, and during which retraction the formers 90 and 91 arewithdrawn by the actuating-cams 98 and the loop-benders then again movedinto position to reengage the partially-completed loops by means of theactuating-cams 115 and the same slides 101 and 103, whereby the loopsare completely formed, after which said loopbenders are complctel yretracted by means of their springs 117. The gripping device 130, bymeans of its cam 117, slide 140, and intermediate mechanism, is thenactuated into position to engage the link at any desired place, (hereinshown,'however, as centrally of one of the loops, Figs. 13 and 15,) suchengagement being permitted by having one of the straight faces of thefixed angular die cut away, as at 180, Fig. 0, and at which time thelink-blankbending die 13 releases the completed link, having firmly heldit in position against the angular face of the fixed die 30 throughoutthe loop-forming operation. The gripping device is then retractedslightly in order to clear the apex of the fixed die 30, and whichretraction is permitted by the actuating-face of the cam 117 releasingthe follower 112, whereby the spring 1231 slightly retracts suchgripping device, which is then rocked to the opposite side of the apexof the die 30 by means of its cam 162, slide 160, and intermediatemechanism. The gripping device is then moved into position, by means ofthe cam 11S, follower 113, and slide 110, to carry the formed link, withone of its loops, as 202, substantially centrally of onehalf of thenearly formed link, whereby said loop 202 will be in position in thepath through which the end 201 of the partially-formed loop will be bentor curled as the bending-tool completes its loop-forming operation,Figs. 10 and 17, said blank 20o being fed, cut, bent, and the loopsthereof partially formed while the gripping device is carrying thepreviouslyformed and completed link into position to have one of theloops of the next link bent or curled therethrough, whereby when theperfected link is in position, as above set forth, the partially-formedend or loop 201 will enter and be bent or curled through the loop 202during the completion of the loop-forming operation, and thereby unitethe links to form a chain. Substantially simultaneously with the lastloopbendingoperation, which partially withdraws the completed link fromthe gripping device, said gripper is retracted by means of its spring131, which is permitted to operate by the actuating-face of the cam 118releasing the follower 143 of the slide HO, whereby the gripping deviceis withdrawn into its longitu dinal inoperative position and is thenrocked by means of its spring 175 into its normalinoperative position inreadiness to be moved to engage a loop of the last completed link andcarry the same forward, as set forth, and during which time the bendingoperations are being repeated in the manner above set forth to therebyform a chain of any desired length.

It will be understood that the ends of the loop-benders may beprovidedwith any desired degree of curvature, either extending substantially theentire width of the end thereof, as herein shown, or only partially, asmay be desired.

1 do not claim, broadly, the use of bendingtools for forming the linksof chains, as I am aware that similar tools have long been used for thispurpose.

llaving described my invention, I claim- 1.. A chain machine havingsupporting means for the link-blank, said machine comprisingreciprocatory, obliquely -disposed benders movable toward and from eachother and arranged and constructed to engage the ends of a link-blank toform thereon, during the reciprocative movements of said benders, loopssubstantially at right angles to each other and means foractuating saidbenders.

2. A chain-machine comprisingsupporting means for the link-blank; twosets of slides, each set thereof consisting of a pair of slides disposedat an angle to each other; means for actuating the slides; andloop-benders carried by one slide of each set and operativesimultaneously to form loops on the ends of the link-blank.

2 A chain n'lachine comprising supporting means for the link-blank; twosets of slides, each set consisting of a pairof slides disposed at anangle to each other; cam mechanism for actuating the slides in onedirection; springs for actuating the slides in the opposite direction;and loopbenders carried by one slide of each set and operativesimultaneously to engage the ends of the 1ink-blank to form the loops.

-11. A chain-machine comprising supporting means for the link-blank; twosets of slides, each set consisting of a pair of slides disposed at anangle to each other and one slide of each set having a pair ofadjustable followers; two sets of cam mechanisms, each set comprising apair of cams. one for each follower, whereby the followers of each setwill be engaged alternately; means for retracting said slides; and loop-benders carried by said slides.

5. A chain machine having suljiporting means for the link-blank, saidmachine having loop-bending mechanism embodying two sets of slides, eachset comprising a pair of followers and a loop-bender and mechanism foroperating the followers of each set alternately to therebyimpart to eachloop-bender intermittent movements.

6. A chain machine having supporting means for the link-blank, saidmachine having a pair of loop-benders operative simulta neously to formloops in the ends of a linkblank; means for actuating said loop-benderstoward each other to start the loops; means for retracting said bendersslightly; and means for actuating said benders toward each other tocompletely form the loops.

7. A chainmachine having supporting means for the link-blank; a pair ofloopformers movable in diagonally opposite directions and in planesoblique to ahorizont-al plane; means for actuating said formers; andmeans for bending the ends of the links around said formers.

8. A chain machine having supporting means for the link-blank a pair offormers disposed at an angle to each other and having movements indiagonally opposite directions whereby their planes of movementintersect each other, means for actuating said formers and means forbending the ends of the links around said formers.

9. A chain machine having supporting means for the link-blank a pair offormers comprising a pair of rods movable in diagonally oppositedirections; means for actuating said formers in one direction; cammechanism for actuating said formers in the opposite direction and meansfor bending the ends of the links around said formers.

10. A chainmachine having supporting means for the link-blan ks a pairof formers comprising rods movable in diagonally opposite directions; aspring on each of said formers for moving the same into operativeposition; cam mechanism for withdrawing and holding said formerswithdrawn from their operative positions during a certain period in theoperation of the machine and means for bending the ends of the linksaround said formers.

11. A chain machine having a support; a pair of formers, one mountedabove and the other below said support and movable in diagonallyopposite directions; means for mo ving said formers into their operativepositions; means for withdrawing and holding said formers withdrawn fromtheir operative positions during a certain period in the opment anormally-fixed die with an angular face provided with a centrallydisposed groove or slot extendinglongitudinally thereof, said angularface having at each side of its apex a transversely-inclined and alongi-' tudinally-inclined portion in angular relation to suchtransversely-inclined face.

l l. A chain-machine comprising a frame; a normally-fixed, adjustabledie thereon having an angular face comprising at each side of its apex atransversely-inclined portion and a longitudinally-inclined portiondisposed in angular relation relatively to each other; a movablelink-blank bender carried by said frame and having an angular facecorresponding with one part of the angular face of the fixed die; andmeans for actuating said link-blank bender toward and away from saidfixed die.

15. A chain-machine comprising a frame; a normally-fixed, adjustable diethereon having an angular face comprising 011 each side of its apex atransversely-inclined and alongitudinally-inclined portion disposed inangular relation relatively to each other; a slide on said frame; alink-blank bender carried by said slide and having an angular facecorresponding with one part of the angular face of the fixed die; cammechanism for actuating said slide and thereby the link-blank bendertoward the fixed die; and means for actuating said slide and therebymoving said link-blank bender away from said die.

16. A chain-machine comprising a frame; a normally-fixed, adjustable diethereon having an angular face comprising on each side of its apex atransversely and a longitudinally inclined face disposed in angularrelation relatively to each other, the faces at one side of the apexbeing in alternation with the faces at the opposite side thereof; aslide on said framework; an adjustable link-blank bender carried by saidslide and having an angular face corresponding with one part of theangular face of the fixed die; and means for actuating said link-blankbender toward and from said die.

17. A chain-machine comprising a frame, a normally-fixed adjustable diethereon having an angular face; a slide on said frame; an adjustablelink-blank bender carried by said slide and having an angular facecorresponding with the angular face of the fixed die; a cutter supportedon said slide and longitudinally and transversely adjustable thereon;and means for actuating said link-blank bender and cutter toward andfrom said fixed die to practically simultaneously sever the link-blankfrom the wire and bend the same into angular relation relatively to thefixed die.

18. A chain-machine comprising a gripping device; means foractuatingsaid gripping device toward the link and embodying a'slide having a pairof followers; cam mechanism for engaging said followers alternately;connecting mechanism between said slide and gripping device; mechanismfor rocking said gripping device intermediate of the actuation of thefollowers; and means for retracting said gripping device.

19. A chain-machine comprising a frame; a die normally fixed thereon andhaving an angular face; a gripping device disposed in front of theangular face of said die; means for actuating said gripping devicetoward said die at one side of its apex; means for retracting the sameto a point beyond its apex; means for rocking said gripping device tothe opposite side of its apex and means for again actuating saidgrippingdevice toward said die at such side of its apex.

ICC

90. A chain-machine comprising gripping mechanism consisting of a pairof shafts and a gripping device secured to one of said shafts; a slidehaving a pair of followers se cured thereto; cam mechanism for actuatingsaid followers alternately; connecting mechanism between said slide andone of the shafts for actuating said gripping device; a second slidehaving a follower; cam mechanism engaging said follower; connectingmechanism between said slide and gripping device for rocking saiddevice; and means for retracting said gripping device at certain periodsin the operation of the machine.

21. A chain-machine comprising mechanism for bending a link-blankcentrally of its longitudinal length; reciproeatory loop-bendingmechanism for engaging the ends of such bent link-blank andsimultaneously forming during its reciprocative movement loops thereon;and means for actuating such bending mechanism.

A chain-machine comprising mechanism adapted to feed a predeterminedlength of wire; a cutter; mechanism operative to bend a link-blankcentrally of its longitudinal length; reeiprocatory loop-bendingmeehanism operative to simultaneously engage the ends of such bentlink-blank and during its reciprocative movement form loops thereonsubstantially at right angles to each other; and means for actuatingsuch feeding and bending mechanisms.

3. A chain-machine comprising mechanism operative to bend a link-blankcentrally of its length into angular position; former mechanismoperative to permit the loops to be partially shaped around the same andembodying means for withdrawing said mechanism at a predetermined periodin the operation of the machine, loop-bending mechanism operative toengage the ends of the linkblank and simultaneously form the loops, andembodying means for actuating said mechanism, to partially form theloops to then retract the same to permit the withdrawal of the formermechanism, and to then actuate said loop-bending mechanism into positionto reengage the partially-formed loops to complete the same.

24. A chain'machine comprising bending mechanism operative to bend alink-blank centrally of its length; former mechanism embodying formershaving their planes of movement intersecting each other; loop-bendingmechanism operative simultaneously to engage the ends of the link-blankto form loops therein substantially at right angles to each other; andmeans for actuating said mechanisms.

25. A chain-machine comprising bending mechanism operative to bend alink-blank centrally of its length; former mechanism em bod yin gformers having their planes of movement intersecting each other;loop-bending mechanism operative simultaneously to engage the ends ofthe linkblank to form loops therein substantially at right angles toeach I other; cam mechanism for actuating all of said mechanisms in onedirection; and means for actuating said mechanisms in the oppositedirection.

26. A chain-machine comprising bending mechanism operative to engage alink-blank and bend the same centrally of its length; former mechanism.embodying formers operative simultaneously, one to engage the linkblankabove one end thereof and the other below the other end thereof; loopbending mechanism embodying a pair of loop-benders operative to engagethe ends of the link-blank, and eat-h of said benders havingintermittent movements of varying lengths; and means for actuating saidmechanisms.

27. A chain-machine comprising bending mechanism operative to bend alink-blank centrally of its length into angular position; formermechanism loop-bendin g mechanism operative simultaneously to engage theends of thelink-blank; gripping mechanism operative to engage one of theloops of the completed link at one side of its apex and carry said linkinto the path of the partially-formed loop of the next link-blank; andmeans for actuating said mechanisms.

28. A chain-machine comprising cutting mechanism and bending mechanismoperative to practically simultaneously sever a link-blank of apredetermined length and bend the same into angular position centrallyof its length; former mechanism; loopbending mechanism operative toengage the ends of said bent link-blank and simultaneously form theloops thereof substantially at right angles to each other; and means foractuating such mechanisms.

29. A chain-machine comprising cutting and bending mechanisms operativeto sever a link-blank from the stock and bend the same into angularposition centrally of its length; former mechanism embodying formersoperative in diagonally opposite directions, whereby the planes ofmovement thereof intersect each other; loop-bending mechanism operativeto engage the ends of the bent link-blank and simultaneously form theloops thereon substantially at right angles to each other; grippingmechanism operative to engage the completed link and carry the same intothe link bending or curling path of the wire blank; and means foractuating said mechanisms.

30. A chain-machine comprising feeding mechanism operative to feed thewire a predetermined length; cutting and bending mechanism operative tosever a link-blank and bend the same into angular position centrally ofits length; former mechanism embodying formers operative in diagonallyopposite directions; loop-bending mechanism operative at an angle to thefeed of the wire to engage the ends of said link-blank to simultaneouslyform the loops thereon; gripping mechanism; and means for actuating saidmechanisms.

31. Achain-machine comprising link-bending mechanism embodying anormally-fixed die having an angular face at each side of its apex withtransversely and longitudinally inclined portions; former mechanismembodying formers having their working ends extending through said fixeddie and projecting at the longitudinally-inclined faces thereof; andmeans for actuating said mechanisms.

32. Achain-machine comprisinglink-bending mechanism embodying anormally-fixed die having an angular face at each side of its apex withtransversely and longitudinally inclined portions; former mechanismembodying formers having their working ends extending through said fixeddie and projecting at the longitudinally-inclined faces thereof;loop-bending mechanism embodying loopbenders disposed at the sameinclination as the longitudinally-inclined portions of the fixed die;and means for actuating said mechanisms.

A chain-machine comprising bending mechanism embodying a normally-fixeddie having an angular face comprising on each side of its apextransversely and longitudinally inclined portions disposed in angularrelation relatively to each other, and a movable link-blank bender;feeding mechanism operative to feed the link-blank a predeterminedlength, whereby it Will be fed in a horizontal plane substantially inparallelism with the horizontal plane of the points of juncture of thelongitudinally and transversely inclined portions of the die, andwhereby also that part of the link-blank which is to form the link hasthe center of its length adjacent to the apex of said angular-faced die;and means for actuating the link-blank bender to thereby bend saidlink-blank centrally of its length into angular relation relatively tosaid die.

34. A chain-machine having bending mechanism comprising a normally-fixed(lie with an angular face and a movable link-bender;

' thereof which is to form the link has the center of its lengthadjacent to the apex of said die; means for actuating the link-bender,to bend said link-wire centrally of its length into angular positionrelatively to said die; loop-bending mechanism operative to engage theends of said bent link-blank and simultaneously form the loops thereon;and means for actuating said loop-bending mechanism.

35. A chain-machine comprising feed mechanism operative to feed a wire apredetermined length; means for simultaneously bending or curling theends of the link-blank into loops; and means for carrying a completedlink into the loop bending or curling path of the next link-blank,whereby the links are united to form a chain by bending or curling apartially-formed loop of the uncompleted link-blank through a loop ofthe completed link.

86. A chain-machine comprising feeding mechanism operable to feed a wirea predetermined length; means forbending the linkblank centrally of itslength means for bending or curling the ends of the link-blank intoloops; and means for carrying a completed link into the loop bending orcurling path of the next link-blank, whereby the links are united toform a chain by bending or curling a partially-formed loop of theuncompleted link-blank through a loop of the completed link.

37. A chain-machine embodying means for bending or curling the end of alink-blank into a loop and means for carrying a completed link intoposition to have its loop in the path of bending or curling of saidlinkblank, whereby the link and link-blank are united by bending orcurling the partiallyformed loop of such blank through the loop of thecompleted link.

JOHN H. DOOLITTLE.

Witnesses:

PORTER L. Woon, EMELINE DOOLITTLE.

